A vaccinator gives 10-year-old Vhan Jhared Duran a COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Talisay City College on Monday, February 14, 2022. CDN Digital photo | Morexette Marie B. Erram
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Balloons, streamers, and posters of cartoon characters adorned portions of the Talisay City College on Monday, February 14, 2022, as the city began the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
Among those who trooped to the site were Joebert Duran and his 10-year-old son, Vhan Jhared.
Joebert was all smiles when accompanying his kid to Talisay City College to get inoculated.
“I feel safe kay na vaccinated na siya as well as me. Naa na gyud mi protection,” said Joebert.
(I feel safe because he is vaccinated as well as me. We now have protection.)
Vhan Jhared, for his part, said he was also excited in getting the vaccine as he looked forward to going back to in-person classes and playing outdoors.
He also said he was not afraid of the syringe and felt fine after getting the shot.
“I want to be vaccinated so I can be protected,” Vhan Jhared added.
The Talisay City Government is aiming to inoculate at least 100 children aged 5 to 11 years old per day. Over 15,000 children in the specified age range are projected to receive free COVID vaccines from the government.
Mayor Gerald Anthony ‘Samsam’ Gullas said they repealed the mandatory online registration for kids age 5 to 11 years old to expedite the vaccination drive.
As a result, registration is done on-site and walk-ins are accepted.
“We don’t want to make it difficult for people to get vaccinated,” Gullas told reporters.
In the meantime, Gullas urged parents to encourage their kids to get the vaccines.
“Hangyo sa parents nato nga pasabton ang mga anak (nganong pabakunahan sila). Dako ang role sa parents karun pagpasabot sa anak. Importante kaayo ni maminaw man ang anak nato,” said Gullas.
(We urge parents to let their children understand [why they are being vaccinated]. The parents have a huge role to let their children understand. It is really important because children listen to us.)
/bmjo
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